King Ferdinand's letter to the Taino-Arawak Indians

In the name of King Ferdinand and Juana, his daughter, Queen of Castile
and Leon, etc., conquerors of barbarian nations, we notify you as best
we can that our Lord God Eternal created Heaven and earth and a man and
woman from whom we all descend for all times and all over the world. In
the 5,000 years since creation the multitude of these generations
caused men to divide and establish kingdoms in various parts of the
world, among whom God chose St. Peter as leader of mankind, regardless
of their law, sect or belief. He seated St. Peter in Rome as the best
place from which to rule the world but he allowed him to establish his
seat in all parts of the world and rule all people, whether Christians,
Moors, Jews, Gentiles or any other sect. He was named Pope, which means
admirable and greatest father, governor of all men. Those who lived at
that time obeyed St. Peter as Lord and superior King of the universe,
and so did their descendants obey his successors and so on to the end
of time.

The late Pope gave these islands and mainland of the ocean and
the contents hereof to the above-mentioned King and Queen, as is
certified in writing and you may see the documents if you should so
desire. Therefore, Their Highnesses are lords and masters of this land;
they were acknowledged as such when this notice was posted, and were
and are being served willingly and without resistance; then, their
religious envoys were acknowledged and obeyed without delay, and all
subjects unconditionally and of their own free will became Christians
and thus they remain. Their Highnesses received their allegiance with
joy and benignity and decreed that they be treated in this spirit like
good and loyal vassals and you are under the obligation to do the same.

Therefore, we request that you understand this text, deliberate
on its contents within a reasonable time, and recognize the Church and
its highest priest, the Pope, as rulers of the universe, and in their
name the King and Queen of Spain as rulers of this land, allowing the
religious fathers to preach our holy Faith to you. You own compliance as
a duty to the King and we in his name will receive you with love and
charity, respecting your freedom and that of your wives and sons and
your rights of possession and we shall not compel you to baptism unless
you, informed of the Truth, wish to convert to our holy Catholic Faith
as almost all your neighbors have done in other islands, in exchange
for which Their Highnesses bestow many privileges and exemptions upon
you. Should you fail to comply, or delay maliciously in so doing, we
assure you that with the help of God we shall use force against you,
declaring war upon you from all sides and with all possible means, and
we shall bind you to the yoke of the Church and of Their Highnesses; we
shall enslave your persons, wives and sons, sell you or dispose of you
as the King sees fit; we shall seize your possessions and harm you as
much as we can as disobedient and resisting vassals. And we declare
you guilty of resulting deaths and injuries, exempting Their Highnesses
of such guilt as well as ourselves and the gentlemen who accompany us.
We hereby request that legal signatures be af fixed to this text and
pray those present to bear witness for us, etc.

Comment by Bob Corbett (bcorbett@crl.com)

Imperialism without any pretence!

Here is a link to a letter which King Ferdinand sent along with Columbus on his
second voyage to Haiti. It was to be communicated to the Taino/Arawak
Indians. It is a fascinating document. The King wants the Indians to
acknowledge the Christian religion and God, and to accept the authority
of the King of Spain.

The letter is a mix of promises of benefits that will come to
them, but quickly followed up with the direst of threats if they do no
comply.

It is all so blatant. I read documents like these from past
centuries and I often think I'd rather be living in a time when there
wasn't as much pretence. It seems, at least, that people were bolder,
or more fool hardy or perhaps just more powerful and arrogant, but they
tended to say what they meant. Today countries like the U.S. seem to be
just as imperialistic as was Spain in 1500, but they try to act like
they are not. King Ferdinand's letter is shocking and horrible, but at
the same time the unmasked nature of his imperialism is refreshing.